The emotions that come with grief can be overwhelming for children of all ages. Helping them to understand the word grief, and what it means, can have a calming effect and help them feel less confused by the intensity of their thoughts and feelings. It can also help them to learn that grief isn’t dangerous or destructive – it’s a natural part of living.

Explaining grief

Grief is all of the feelings and thoughts we have when something really difficult happens in life. These may include: sad, mad, relief, guilt and exhaustion.

Causes of grief can include: illness, death, divorce, being separated from parents or other caregivers, relocating to a new community.

It’s okay to feel happy and enjoy life even when we’re grieving.

Starting a conversation

Offer children the chance to talk about their grief but don’t force it. Pushing a conversation they don't want to have can have the opposite effect, leading them to shut down.

Create opportunities where conversation happens naturally such as:

Playing board games.

Spending time in nature.

Baking or cooking together.

Going for a hike, walk or drive.

When there's a death in a book or movie, or the family pet dies, use this as an opportunity to talk about grief.